Loose leaf binder file hanger devices

ABSTRACT

A file suspension hook device for bound loose-leaf file assemblies having &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;Acco&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; fastener type compression strips with flexible post elements securing the sheets together at corner edges thereof, said hook device having an outer looped end for engaging a file suspension bar and an inner end for releasable mounting on the corner post element between sheets for rotation on the post to and from a nested substantially concealed position at the adjacent marginal edge portion of the sheet pack and a position of extension from said bound corner. A single hook may be used to hang a binder at its corner for free swinging movement from a hanger rod or bar, or hooks may be clipped at each end of the binding for hanging between horizontally spaced suspension file rods.

[11]- 3,826,582 July 30, 1974 I 1 LOOSE LEAF BINDER FILE HANGER DEVICES [75] Inventor: Edward Podosek, Wilbraham, Mass.

[73] Assignee: National Blank Book Company, Inc.,

Holyoke, Mass.

[22] Filed: Aug. 2, 1972 [2]] Appl. No.: 277,483

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1891 Wheeler 281/15 A 2/1914 Dcar.... 281/15A 11/1932 Brown 211/48 7/1939 Smith .J 312/184 9/1956 Sobesky 402/3 X 8/1972 Kirkorianw 281/15 A X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Great Britain 312/184 562,298 10/1932 Germany 312/184 880,244 10/1961 Great Britain 312/184 1,071.666 12/1959 Germany "402/15 Primary Examiner-Jerome Schnall Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Chapin, Neal and Dempsey [57] ABSTRACT A file suspension hook device for bound loose-leaf file assemblies having Acco fastener type compression strips with flexible post elements securing the sheets together at corner edges thereof, said hook device having an outer looped end for engaging a file suspension bar and an inner end for releasable mounting on the corner post element between sheets for rotation on the post to and from a nested substantially concealed position at the adjacent marginal edge portion of the sheet pack and a position of extension from said bound corner. A single hookmay be used to hang a binder at its corner for free swinging movement from a hanger rod or bar, or hooks may be clipped at each end of the binding for hanging between horizontally spaced suspension file rods.

1 Claim, 11 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3.826.582

sum 2 or a I PAIENTEUMsomn v 3.826.582 SIEU 3W3 I LOOSE LEAF BINDER FILE HANGER DEVICES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a suspension means for loose leaf binder files utilizing an Acco fastener type of binding mechanism and specifically such mechanisms as are now widely used for assembling in loose-leaf post-binder fashion individual groups or sheet packs of conventional print-out forms of electronic data processing machinery.

As will be generally recognized in the trade, typical ness accounting machines are of a relatively large dimension having closely spaced perforations along opposite' edges for machine tracking purposes. Binder cover files in which the same are usually mounted and kept for storage and referral purposes are generally on the order of two to'three inches in thickness. File units of this character are relatively cumbersome to handle, and because of their bulk have presented problems from the standpoint of providing convenient filing and storage equipment. Various forms of binder devices have been designed for use with' specialized racks, stands, and/or cabinets in an effort to support groups of such files so that the bound units may be readily accessible and, insofar as possible, convenient to handle.

Insofar as is known, prior equipment heretofore available in the trade specifically for the storage and handling of such file binders has had drawbacks of one nature or another. As above indicated special elements designed for assembly with the binder units have been supplied for use with specially designed rack stand components so as to support the same in an ordinary and readily accessible condition. In other'cases where relatively simple components have been added to the basic assembly in order to suspend the units individually, such components often project endwise from the boundmargins and, accordingly, are less than completely satisfactory from a users standpoint. In still other instances the basic binding mechanism itself has print-out form sheets of data processing and other busiany way. The present invention provides a hanger readily movable to a nested concealed condition at a corner of the bound sheets. Thus no projecting portions need extend beyond the outline of file cover members when a binder is taken off a file rack for referral purposes. The device may be as easily flipped outwardly for hanging a binder on a simple type of hanger suspension rod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a suspension hook device preferably in the general form of an S- hook for hanging a loose leaf binder file. The outer end has a looped hook portion of a dimension to readily engage a hanger bar or rod of any suitable file rack or cabinet stand. The inner end portion is also preferably looped and provides at this end a narrow slotted portion defining a narrow entrance passage to an inner enlarged pocket for releasably mounting on a standard flexible post element of an Acco fastener type of loose leaf binder file assembly. The S-hook form can be shaped by bending flat wire stock, stamping out of FIGURES FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a binder file assembly incorporating the hanger. device of the present invention therein and shown in suspended position as on a showing the preferred form of inner mounting slot and been modified to add provision for enabling the binders to hang on convenientlyaccessible hanger file racks and stands. Onesuch rnodified basic mechanism provides for telescoping hook. means at each end of the bound margin, the hooks being pushed into an inner nested'relation while the binder is being used and pulled out for engaging a suspension rack. This type of device has been found less than satisfactory in practice, partly because the telescopic action may not be consistently smooth, reliable and accurate. In addition, the increasedcosts of reliable telescoping parts, similar to the costs of other components of special design, have contributed to a limited acceptance of such devices. Essentially such loose leaf file binding equipment is very largely regarded as of an expendible or disposable nature. Almost universally the binding mechanisms are discarded along with, the binder'contents when the need for keeping the latter no longer exists. Accordingly, a real need has continued to exist for serviceable hanger equipment at a minimum cost.

The major object, therefore, of the present invention is to furnish an extremely simple suspension hook mechanism for readily attaching to the standard types of binder file assemblies using Acco fastener devices and without altering the basic construction thereof in hanger rod;

FIG. 2 is a view as on line 2-2 of FIG. 1 showing the hanger in nested concealed position;

FIG. 3 is a view on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the hanger of FIGS. 13;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale a. post engaged therein;

.FIG. 6 is a view showing a modified form of hanger;

. FIG. 7 is a still further form of hanger embodying the present invention and illustrating a specific design thereof suitable for supporting each end of a binder on spaced file suspension rods;

FIG. 8 isfa view similar to FIG. 7 showing the nested position, of the hanger,

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative form of the device seen in FIGS. 7 and 8;

FIG. 10 is a view showing the operative position thereof; and I FIG. 11 is a view illustrating a binder supported between spaced file suspension rods of a rack stand and equipped with hanger devices as shown by either FIGS. 7- and 8 or FIGS. 9 and 10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1 a loose leaf binder file assembly 2 with a hanger tab device of the present invention is shown as hung on a suspension bar 4, representative of the hanger rod support element of any suitable file stand or other filing rack structure. The binderZ is of a conven tional and standard construction well known in the trade as an Acco fastener type of expandible post binder file. As illustrated the binder is formed with a pair of hinged covers 6 having inwardly folded marginal binding strip portions as at 8, along the inner surfaces of which are attached channelled compression strips as generally indicated at 10. Flexible binding posts such as plastic coated wire posts are passed through aligned perforations at the corners of a stack of sheets and extend through openings at the ends of the strips 10, the free end portions as at 12 being turned against the strip and held between channeled edges as by a latch piece 14. The edges of latch 14 are slidably engaged in flanged tracking edges along the opposite sides of the strip.

As will be readily recognized the assembly 2 is a well known conventional type of binder file widely used for filing data processing print-out form sheets which are commonly provided with closely spaced machine tracking perforations as at 11 along opposite edges. Such sheets are commonly of relatively large dimensions and normally bound between the covers 6 in stacks of two or three inches in thickness for filing purposes.

In the embodiment of the hanger shown by FIGS. 1-5 a length of flat wire stock is bent into the general shape of an S-hook. At its outer end a looped hook 16 is formed to engage a rod support as the bar 4. Preferably the extreme tip end is furthermore turned at right angles to provide a short tang or finger tab 18. At its inner end a loop is provided for anchoring to the flexible post 12 of the assembly 2 as between the sheets s and in a central position (FIG. 1) at the upper corner. The looped engagement on post 12 permits pivotal manipulation of the device to and from a nested substantially concealed position and an operative position as indicated in FIG. 2 by the full line and dotted line positions, respectively. Also as seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the bent tip end or tab at 18in the nested position lies transversely across bound edges of adjacent sheets at the back of the binder. This permits ready access for finger manipulation to swing the outerjhooked end 16 upwardly of the corner and into a position easily engaged on a bar 4 for hanging the binder therefrom. v

The looped end 20 of the hanger (FIGS. 2, 4, 5) is preferably provided with a slotted entrance passage as at 22 leading to a pocketed post engaging loop portion 24. The slotted passage 22 as will be noted forms a somewhat restricted throat (FIG. 5) having a width slightly less than the post diameter for frictionally receiving the same when mounting the device thereon to engage the post in the inner pocketing end loop 24. When caught in the end pocket, the device may be readily pivoted about the post, the frictional resistance to such pivoting being substantially only that provided by movement between the bound sheets. Thus the device can be turned as desired with the restricted entrance passage 22 preventing a shift in a direction of disengagement. As will be appreciated the restricted entrance slot 22 means that in engaging or disengaging a post a moderate amount of force is required in the manner of a snap action clasp.

It will also be noted that the intermediate portion 26 or shank of the device is relatively closely spaced from the slightly flared tip end 28 of the inner loop. Accord ingly, when being moved from the dotted line position of FIG. 2 to the nested full line condition, the free end of the inner loop will progressively part the sheets between which it is held and lead the way for slipping the shank 26 therebetween and further progressively rotating the latter to the full line position lying entirely within the sheet boundaries except for tab 18. The bound sheet edges otherwise tend to lie in flattened relation against one another so that the progressive parting of the facing sheets, as outlined, eliminates the tendency for the shank to catch against the edges and possibly cause such edge portions to become frayed.

As will be apparent a plurality of binder assemblies 2 can be hung conveniently on a suitable stand having a rack bar 4 and be individually removed therefrom as desired for referral or reference purposes. When removed for referring to the binder contents the hanger tab is readily swung to its nested position with a flip of the fingers; Thus the binder may be handled in a normal manner without regard to any relatively cumbersome manipulation and vwithout any appendages or projections extending from the marginal edges or corners. In replacing a binder on the bar 4 the device is swung outwardly by manipulating the tab 18 sufficiently to expose the hook 16 for engaging a bar 4 for free swinging movement.

In FIG. 6 a modification of the hanger device is shown in the form of a stamped metal member of a generally S-hook shape. This form is provided with outer loop 16, a straight linear connecting shank portion 26', an inner loop 20 with an elongated slotted entrance passage 22' having a width slightly less than the diameter of the post engaging loop pocket. In this form the inner loop 20, as will be apparent, will lie outside the corner edges when pivoted as to the left into the nested condition so as to enable manipulation from such a nested position. If desired, a right angled finger tab piece (not shown) may be provided at the outer free end edge of the loop 16' for grasping in the manner described in connection with the tang 18.

In FIGS. 7 and 8 a still further modification is shown as formed from short lengths of flat bar stock. In the outer end a hook loop 116 is cut, an inner loop with slotted entrance being provided at 120. As in the FIG.

6 modification, the width of slot is shown as slightly less than the diameter of post 12 and inner end pocket in which the post is engaged for pivotal movement. In this form the inner end portion of the deviceis extended and at its upper edge is fixed as by welding thereto a transverse abutment tab portion 118 engageable against the back edges of the sheets s in the operative position of FIG. 7. Tab 118 as shown limits pivotal movement to a position parallel to said back edges of the sheet and extension of the hook 116 into an in-line condition at the ends of the bound margin. By swinging this form of the hanger clockwise as viewed, into the position of FIG. 8 it will be seen that the edge of tab 118 abuts the adjacent corner edges of the sheets in the substantially concealed position projecting slightly beyond the corner to provide finger manipulation for turning in the opposite direction to the FIG. 7 position.

It may be noted from consideration of FIGS. 7 and 8 and the configuration of the hook opening 116 that the flat bar stock device may be engaged on a single bar 4 to hang a binder assembly for more or less free swinging movement. Provision for limiting pivotal movement by tab 118 to its operative in-line condition relative to the bound marginal section of sheets s enables the use of such a device at each end of the bound margin and a correct positional relation for ease in suspending a binder, if so desired,on a file rack having spaced parallel rods. This will be seen from FIG. 11 in which the rods 104 of a table stand or the like are indicated as supported on a frame having legs 105, side rails 106, and end rails as at 107.

It will also be apparent that if desired a pair of hangers may be applied on the posts at each end of the bound margin and inwardly adjacent the covers 6 for greater stability. Likewise the bent wire form of FIGS. 1-5 and metal stamping form of FIG. 6 may be mounted at each end for a similar balanced suspension of the binder. In using the latter forms, greater care will be needed in most cases to pivotally adjust the outer hooked portions so as to, engage the spaced rods 104. Because of the predetermined extended position of the form shown by FIGS. 7 and 8, a binder may be more readily dropped into place on the rods.

In FIGS. 9 and 10 a modified form of the device of FIGS. 7 and 8 is shown in which the inner post attachment opening is a perforation 120 requiring the assembly of the devices on the post between compression strips when the binder fastening elements are being assembled to secure the stack of sheets between the file covers.

From the above description of the several embodiments of the inventionit will be apparent that a hanger device of an extremely simple and inexpensive nature has been provided which eliminates objectionable features of permanently protruding extensions characteristic of the simpler types of rack hangers heretofore used for this type of file binder assembly; eliminates a need for telescoping parts either as separate devices or combined in compression strip members which may or may not operate smoothly; and permits the simple addition of one or more hanger devices which can be supplied at the users option and without materially increasing the expense of such filing equipment.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a loose leaf binder file assembly having compression strip members holding between them a stack of business machine print-out form sheets and the like along a marginal binding edge portion of the stack, and flexible post elements releasably clamped on said strip members passing through sheet perforations adjacent the corners of the stack of sheets at the ends of said marginal binding portion,

a flat S-shaped hanger device having looped inner and outer end portions formed with entrance passages to said looped portions and defining said S- shape, said inner looped end portion being of slotted formation and having a restriction in the entrance passage thereof for frictionally receiving one of said post elements during passage therethrough and releasable engagement of said post in pocketed relation at the extreme end of the said inner looped portion for pivotal movement about said one post element between said compression strips, and said outer looped end portion being formed as a suspending hook portion in co-planar relationship with said inner portion, the tip end of the outer hook portion being provided with a short tab projection extending substantially at right angles to the plane of the device,

said device being movable on the post element for pivoting to and from an extended position of said hook portion outwardly of the adjacent corner of the bound sheets for engaging and suspending said assembly on a hanger file rod support, and a nested position substantially concealing said device with said tab projection-abutting adjacent sheet edges along the outer edge of said marginal binding edge portion of the stack to provide for fingertip manipulation from said nested position, the widest part of said hanger device being less than the width of said compression strip members and lying when nested within the outline of the same for completely eliminatingv interference with a turning of the sheets of said bound stack for referral purposes. 

1. In combination with a loose leaf binder file assembly having compression strip members holding between them a stack of business machine print-out form sheets and the like along a marginal binding edge portion of the stack, and flexible post elements releasably clamped on said strip members passing through sheet perforations adjacent the corners of the stack of sheets at the ends of said marginal binding portion, a flat S-shaped hanger device having looped inner and outer end portions formed with entrance passages to said looped portions and defining said S-shape, said inner looped end portion being of slotted formation and having a restriction in the entrance passage thereof for frictionally receiving one of said post elements during passage therethrough and releasable engagement of said post in pocketed relation at the extreme end of the said inner looped portion for pivotal movement about said one post element between said compression strips, and said outer looped end portion being formed as a suspending hook portion in co-planar relationship with said inner portion, the tip end of the outer hook portion being provided with a short tab projection extending substantially at right angles to the plane of the device, said device being movable on the post element for pivoting to and from an extended position of said hook portion outwardly of the adjacent corner of the bound sheets for engaging and suspending said assembly on a hanger file rod support, and a nested position substantially concealing said device with said tab projection abutting adjacent sheet edges along the outer edge of said marginal binding edge portion of the stack to provide for fingertip manipulation from said nested position, the widest part of said hanger device being less than the width of said compression strip members and lying when nested within the outline of the same for completely eliminating interference with a turning of the sheets of said bound stack for referral purposes. 